Led by Eric LeGrand, Rutgers graduates largest class

PISCATAWAY – With thunderous applause and a standing ovation, approximately 4,000 student graduates welcomed fellow graduate Eric LeGrand to the stage to speak to them and for them May 18, as he gave the Class of 2014 address at Rutgers University's 248th anniversary commencement, conducted at High Point Solutions Stadium on the Busch campus.

The 23-year-old inspired his peers and encouraged them with his much-anticipated speech, which at one point earlier this month seemed like it wasn't going to happen after what was described as a miscommunication between Rutgers officials and LeGrand following former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's decision on May 3 to not speak at the commencement because of student and faculty protests against her.

On May 5, two days after Rice announced her decision to not speak, Rutgers officials said that former Gov. Thomas H. Kean would be the commencement's keynote speaker. Later that evening, LeGrand told 129,000 Twitter followers that he had been asked to speak but that the offer had been rescinded. The next day, Rutgers officials said there had been a miscommunication with LeGrand and that he would indeed address his fellow graduates.

In announcing her decision, Rice said the focus of the commencement should not be on the speaker but on the graduates and their stories.

And few are as powerful as LeGrand's.

The former Rutgers football player suffered a severe spinal cord injury during a game against Army in October 2010. The No. 52 jersey worn by LeGrand was retired in a poignant ceremony on Sept. 14, 2013, at halftime of the Rutgers-Eastern Michigan game. It was the first number to be retired by Rutgers in the 144-year history of their program.

During his address, LeGrand, who received a bachelor's degree in labor studies and employment from the School of Management and Labor Relations, thanked all those who supported him, including the students at the stadium, in his journey since he was "thrown the biggest curveball of his life."

"I thought it was the end of my life. I prayed to God for a breath of life. I went to give a thumbs up and nothing happened," he said. "Then, such positive things were happening. All of the students here and fans were reaching out to me."

Despite initial dire predictions, LeGrand resumed classes at Rutgers in January 2011 and told those in attendance he is "moving his shoulders and himself forward." He warned the graduates that it is a "cruel world" out there and they "will face adversity."

"Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't do something. If you put your minds to something, anything is truly possible in this world," said LeGrand quoting from the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness." "Appreciate all you have in your life. I am blessed to be in the situation I am today. Always believe in yourself and the man above."

"Every day, when I wake up, I try to get up and walk again, and I fail," LeGrand said. "That will not stop me. Remember, I still try."

Calling his class the "biggest and baddest," Le Grand invited them to his the upcoming 4th annual 5K "Walk to Believe" on June 14 and called it his "graduation party." The event will benefit his Team LeGrand initiative of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

"Believe in me and believe in yourself 'cause we are going to change things out there," he said.

Civil engineering major Daniel Septon, 31, of Lakewood, biology major Amanda Figliolini, 22, of Manalapan and biological sciences Kamila Migdal, 21, of Hillsborough agreed that hearing LeGrand speak was a highlight of the event.

"To see how hard he has worked and how dedicated he is," Septon said. "I was very inspired by that."

Largest class to date

With more than 16,400 graduates — including students from the former University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) — receiving degrees from Rutgers this year, the class of 2014 is the largest graduating class on record beating last year's record of 14,308, prior to the Rutgers-UMDNJ integration.

The Office of the University Registrar estimated that more than 10,300 baccalaureate degrees and 6,000 master's degrees, doctorates, including professional doctorates, and one specialist of education were conferred officially on Sunday. Since its founding in 1766, Rutgers has awarded 529,723 academic degrees.

Police estimated 35,000 attended the fourth commencement at High Point Solutions Stadium and second presided over by President Robert Barchi, whose tenure as Rutgers' 20th president officially began in September 2012. The School of Arts and Sciences graduated an estimated 4,713 seniors at the ceremony as well as held individual department receptions. The remaining schools and colleges either held or will hold convocations or receptions in the three-week period that began May 3 and ends Thursday.

Calling it a "joyful moment," Gerald C. Harvey, outgoing chair of the university's Board of Governors, welcomed those in attendance. He, along with renowned paleoanthropologist, public servant and environmentalist Richard Leakey, received honorary degrees at the outdoor ceremony. Harvey received a Doctor of Humane Letters, while Leakey was granted a Doctor of Science.

In his greeting, University President Robert Barchi spoke of the students entering a lifetime of personal journeys that he wished to be "fulfilling and rewarding."

"Make your unique mark upon the world. Stay strong to the shared values and world views," he said. "Our university, our community, our democratic society depends on free and unhindered expression of ideas and open exchange of ideas. You will be challenged, you will be frustrated. It is at those very times, you need to remain engaged in good dialogue and the risk of silence is just too high. Shape society and make a difference."

Rutgers pride

Kean, the state's 48th governor, called what transpired earlier this month all "a bit of a fuss" and noted that it should not intrude on everything else going on. After praising the university and all its accomplishments, including that of the students, Kean called Rutgers one of a "tiny handful of very elite and very diverse public universities."

"I hope you all realize what you have accomplished," Kean said. "No matter where life takes you, take pride in Rutgers. And I don't think any has a more inspiring speaker than your very own number 52, Eric LeGrand."

After LeGrand spoke, Barchi announced that Kean did not accept his $35,000 honorarium and asked that it be given as a scholarship in LeGrand's name and the Class of 2014 starting next year.

Kean complimented the graduates on their decision to come to Rutgers.

"You made a terrific start," he said. "Always remember what Rutgers has meant to you and that others made sacrifices. Honor your degree. Use it with integrity. Use it to improve the world around you. Build relationships and help preserve the precious ideals. Help us break the gridlock and help us hold society together."

"I would also like to take a moment to remind you of the obligation that comes with the degree. It is not just to make a living but to serve a larger purpose," Kean said. "We need you to help restore the fabric of society."

Kean asked the candidates to bring back to public life the fact that "for all the differences, there is more that unites you rather than divides you."

"America is the only country not kept together by a common ethnicity but held together by ideals, such as equality individual liberties, human rights, the constitution and the bill of rights," said Kean, who also evoked Rutgers alumni and musician Paul Robeson and quoted from Robeson's favorite song, "The House I Live In." "But it is hard to build on ideas if we are not talking to each other."

Student-focused

Migdal also complimented Kean's speech saying it was "short and to the point." She and Figliolini said they will also take away the "hugeness" of the day.

"To go into that stadium and see the scene of all the people — all the students," she said. "It was overwhelming."

Economics major Raphael Kelly, 22, of North Brunswick said the past events and controversies involving Rutgers were not what the graduates were thinking about at commencement.

"That's not what it's about today," he said. "We are focused on graduating. And the day is focused on the students. Graduation is what we are concerned about at this time."

This class of students is one that saw more than its fair share of controversy and "bad press," said Christopher Smith, 22, of Flemington. Graduating with a degree in ecology, evolution studies and natural resources, Smith, who previously heard LeGrand speak at a Rutgers football game, said he was an inspired choice.

"The controversy here was full of a lot of misunderstandings and people being hypocritical," he said."

"When I first started here is when all the bad press really started," she said. "That's when Tyler Clementi killed himself. It was terrible and much to close to home in our community. Then there was the bullying scandal. It is unfortunate that all the bad overshadows a focus on the very good that happens here. There is so much good that happens here that the world does not get to hear about. It saddens me to see that."

Graduate Jourdan Reyes, 22, of East Brunswick, said she feels choices of politicians as commencement speakers are too controversial.

"Politics is always an 'iffy' topic," said Reyes, a double major in economic and psychology. "Everyone has an opinion and always, someone is going to be upset. I was so glad when I heard that Eric LeGrand was going to be speaking. Everyone was very excited to hear him."

Bittersweet day

For the students, the day signified an end as well as a beginning. Each had individual stories of achievement and pride in their accomplishment.

"The fact that this is all coming to an end is incredible, nerve wracking and bittersweet," Barber said. "I will miss Rutgers but I am ready to start this new chapter in my life."

Already employed with an IT consulting firm, Raphael Kelly, 22, of North Brunswick called graduation day a major achievement in his family. "I cannot wait to see my dad today," he said. "I am the first person in my family to get a degree in this country. This day is a roller coaster of emotions that I cannot stop."

Smith, who found employment working with a local tree research company, said he felt awesome to "finally reach this milestone."

"I am the baby boy of my family and the last one to graduate," said Smith, who has two older sisters. "I'm bringing up the rear."

Reyes was happy to finally celebrate this day with friends and family.

"I've been looking forward and working hard to get to this moment for four years," said Reyes, who hopes to gain employment in the entertainment field in New York.